The RS-24 Yars is believed to have entered into service in February 2010. While details about the missiles specifications and capabilities are limited, it is reported to be designed similarly to Russia’s SS-27 (Topol M) ICBM and the Bulava (SS-NX-32) SLBM.1

Development of the RS-24 Yars is believed to have started in 2004. Its first flight test was made in May of 2007. The RS-24 was tested again in December of 2007 and November of 2008. These first test flights were conducted from mobile Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicles.2 The first RS-24s to be declared operational were road mobile, but it is believed that the missile will eventually be deployed in silos. A Russian state news agency report from December 2014 alleges that the RS-24 was in fact successfully test fired from a silo-based position.3

The missile is estimated to be 20.9 m in length and have a diameter of 2.0 m for the first stage, 1.8 m for the second stage, and 1.6 m for the third stage. The missile is also fitted with a Post-Boost Vehicle (PBV) with a total length of 2.7 m. The missile is also believed to be fitted with a newer RV design that will allow the RV’s to maneuver in space and during re-entry.4 The total launch weight of the RS-24 is assessed to be 49,000 kg and is expected to have a minimum range of 2,000 km and a maximum of 10,500 km.5

Missile Threat brings together a wide range of information and analyses relating to the proliferation of cruise and ballistic missiles around the world and the air and missile defense systems designed to defeat them. Missile Threat is a product of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

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